Frank MD Minirth - One-Minute Memory Boosters

Memory Matters

At birthday celebrations, I hear phrases such as the thirties are the new twenties, the forties are the new thirties, and the fifties are the new forties. People brag about looking and feeling younger than their parents did at the same chronological age.

We want our minds to stay dynamic too. But after high school or college, some people never pick up another book or take another class. The more fit we keep our brains, the better theyll withstand the rigors of aging, protect our well-being, and lead to life satisfaction.

Everyone wants to be happy, healthy, loved, and reasonably prosperous and to enjoy fulfilling relationships. These core desires keep us motivated. Our decisions are based on these desires as well as habits, others demands, impulsive urges, and conscious planning. And every day we choose what thoughts to dwell on and words to say, and what to do and not do. Each choice has far-reaching ramifications. Bit by bit, we form patterns that direct our lives and interpersonal interactions.

Something you may not have considered is that none of this is possible without a healthy brain. Your mind controls behavior, and if your mental status is compromised, days, weeks, months, and years can be difficult for you and your family.

I hope this book will motivate you to refresh healthy choices. Its okay to start with the easiest steps. Just start.

Dont Just Let Nature Take Its Course

If youve hit your early thirties, your brains natural aging process has started. It may take longer to memorize and learn new things, and your verbal fluency, perception, and reasoning skills are slowing down.

Changes in the mind and body continue through every life phase. But the older we get, the more dramatic the symptoms seem: our hair and skin look different, and memories often begin to fade. This impacts everyone at some point, but there is help and hope to keep our minds intact through the senior years.

Do You Want a Sharper Mind? Its Possible at Any Age

When one of my daughters was young, I asked, Do you want to boost your brainpower? She did. Today, she is a medical doctor and psychiatrist.

In response to a frail, elderly pastors request for help with his fading memory, I asked, Do you want to boost your brainpower? He did. He has returned to preaching and is enjoying a thriving ministry.

Its encouraging to know that brainpower can be increased at any agethrough childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, adulthood, and even in the senior years. The benefits of controlling, challenging, directing, and improving our minds are many, including delaying cognitive decline or slowing the progression of Alzheimers disease.

A Personal Note

When I graduated from medical school, I took the Hippocratic Oath, which is traditional for physicians as they begin medical practice. Several phrases from that pledge have inspired me throughout my career to promote preventive mental health care to help people avoid or lessen the devastating effects of mental illness.

Here are some excerpts:

I will prevent disease whenever I can for prevention is preferable to cure.

I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.

The books Ive written and the years of hosting radio talk shows were in response to these commitments. I have focused on educating people about mental health so they can be aware of and recognize problems in the early stages. This book is my continued call to action to encourage everyone to protect their mind and their long-term quality of life.

Dr. Frank Minirth